TENKO(1981)

(The following is from BBC "in-house" promotion created for the launch of
the first ten 52-minute episodes:)

Please don't contact me about tracking down the videos; I have no idea
where to get them.

Series Created by Lavinia Warner

A Colour Production of Series/Serials Department for BBC 1

Writers

Paul Wheeler, Jill Hyem, Anne Valery

Producer

Ken Riddington

Directors

Pennant Roberts, David Askey

Script Editor

Evgeny Gridneff

This is a true story, but not true to anyone specifically or any one camp
in particular. The first two episodes show the lives of the British and Colonial
Whites in Singapore prior to its fall, and the frightening indifference of
the British military chiefs to the pending Japanese invasion. The next eight
episodes deal with life and conditions in a Japanese prison camp for women.

There were a lot of camps, on the mainland and on various islands. Some were
similar to our camp, others were totally dissimilar. Each camp had its own
particular life-style, depending on many different factors, the location
of its camp, its Commandant, number of internees, etc.

Most camps had internal friction for one reason or another. In this one there
was a lot of antagonism between the Dutch and the English, mainly because
the Dutch were allowed to bring in many more possessions than the English.

It is not a swash-bucking epic filled with gratuitous violence, it just sets
out to explore what happens (and indeed happened) when a lot of women have
their freedom and individuality suddenly snatched from them and are thrust
together in appalling conditions.

"Tenko" is the Japanese word for Roll Cal where prisoners were counted and
which included the obligatory "bow" to the Japanese masters.

Episodes 1 and 2 take place in Singapore before its fall and we see some
of our characters in their lives before prison camp, some existences were
sybaritic and often boring, some were just boring, some were ordinary, but
all were immeasurably preferable to what awaited them.

The next 8 episodes take place in a fictitious prison camp.

The exterior scenes in the first 2 episodes were shot in Singapore. The exterior
scenes of the prison camp, specially designed and built, were shot in England.

Ann Bell - an actress who has managed to divide her time fairly equally
between TV, films and stage. Credits include THE PHILANDERER at the National
Theatre and, for TV, THE LOST BOYS trilogy about J.M. BARRIE and SHOESTRING.

Patricia Lawrence - was with The National Theatre in FIVE FINGER EXERCISE
- one of her many stage appearances - and on TV in ANNA KARENINA, TELFORD'S
CHANGE and TO SERVE THEM ALL MY DAYS.

Renee Asherson - a respected actress of many years standing in theatre,
films and TV. TV appearances include CLAYHANGER, DISRAELI, GOODBYE DARLING
and FLESH AND BLOOD.

Stephanie Beacham - many films including co-starring with Ava Gardner
in TAM LIN, she was Marlon Brando's co-star in THE NIGHTCOMERS. Varied TV
performances and at the Piccadilly Theatre in CAN YOU HEAR ME AT THE BACK?
with Peter Barkworth.

Stephanie Cole - stage appearance in the hit ROSE at the Duke of York
Theatre and on TV in GOING GENTLY opposite Norman Wisdom, and WAITING FOR
GOD with Graham Crowden.

Louise Jameson - Theatre at Bristol Old Vic, Oxford and Cambridge;
many TV credits including two seasons playing Leela in DOCTOR WHO.

Emily Bolton - numerous TV shows including GANGSTERS, THE REGIMENT,
ANNA KARENINA, she also appeared opposite Roger Moore in the James Bond film
MOONRAKER.

Jeanneanne Crowley - National Theatre for 3 years and her TV credits
include leading parts in BALCOMBE ST. SEIGE, THE RACING GAME, THE ONEIDIN
LINE and SEEN.

Claire Oberman - from Australia - played a starring part in GOODBYE
PORK PIE.

Veronica Roberts - Laura in THE GLASS MENAGERIE and THE STRONGEST
MEN IN THE WORLD at the Roundhouse. TV includes VILLAGE HALL, SAM and DEVENISH.